Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we move deeper into 2026, I want to share an update on one of our water supply improvement efforts at Marin Water: the Atmospheric River Capture (ARC) Project. ARC represents a significant evolution in how we approach water security for our community.
The Foundation: Demand Management + Supply Development
True water resilience requires balance. We can’t conserve our way out of severe drought, nor can we build our way out without responsible demand management. As I shared last month, our conservation programs are delivering impressive results: water use is below the 10-year average. But conservation alone isn’t enough when two consecutive dry years can stress our rainfall-dependent system to the breaking point.
We need both: cost-effective conservation programs that reduce demand, and cost-effective supply projects that increase our drought buffer. That’s exactly what we’re pursuing.
ARC: Capturing Winter Abundance for Drought Security
The Atmospheric River Capture Project is a 13-mile pipeline that will allow us to transfer surplus winter water from the Russian River to Nicasio Reservoir during dry years when our reservoir levels are low.
Why ARC makes sense:
- Targets winter surplus. ARC will capture excess stormwater during high-flow events in the Russian River, not summer water that’s already allocated to other uses or environmental needs.
- Drought-year activation. ARC will only operate when we need it—during droughts—which means minimal costs in normal or wet years. Historical data show that even during droughts, winter flows in the Russian River exceed local demand and environmental flow requirements.
- Regional resilience. The ARC infrastructure will allow us to support neighboring water agencies during regional drought emergencies.
- Proven need. During the 2021-2022 drought, we came dangerously close to running out of water. ARC would provide exactly the kind of buffer we lacked.
- Scalable design. Initial capacity of 3,800 acre-feet per year, with potential to expand to 8,100 acre-feet.
Where We Are Now
ARC is moving forward on two tracks:
We released the Notice of Preparation for the project’s Environmental Impact Report, beginning the comprehensive environmental review required under California law. The public comment period ran through April 13th, giving agencies and community members the opportunity to identify environmental issues that should be addressed in the analysis.
Simultaneously, we’re advancing the preliminary design work to refine costs, engineering details, and construction timelines. Current estimates put construction between 2027-2029, with the system operational by late 2029.
The Bigger Picture: Incremental Progress, Not “One and Done”
I want to be direct about something: ARC alone will not solve all of Marin Water’s water supply challenges. No single project will.
What’s been missing at Marin Water is a sustained, incremental approach to supply development—building projects methodically over time rather than reacting to crises or assuming one major project will address all future needs. Water security requires ongoing investment, continuous planning, and strategic project development as our understanding of climate, demand, and technology evolves.
ARC is a critical piece, but it’s one component of a long-term water supply roadmap. We need Board leadership committed to staying on this path: not just launching projects, but seeing them through and planning the next steps.
Why Board Leadership Matters
Major infrastructure projects take years to plan, design, permit, and build. They require consistent Board oversight, technical judgment, and the political will to make difficult decisions even when they’re not universally popular. They demand directors who understand both the engineering and the community engagement, who can explain complex projects clearly and defend sound planning against short-term pressure.
This work doesn’t happen by accident. It requires directors who prioritize long-term water security, who bring technical expertise to the table, and who are willing to champion projects that won’t be completed until years after an election cycle ends.
Your Support Keeps This Work Moving Forward
I’m running for re-election because this work isn’t finished. ARC needs to move from planning to construction. Our conservation programs need continued support and expansion. Regional partnerships need to be strengthened. And the next generation of supply projects needs to be identified and advanced.
None of this happens without leadership that understands water systems, climate science, and infrastructure development. None of this happens without leadership that has the determination to see it through.
If you believe Marin deserves this kind of forward-looking water leadership, I’m asking for your support.
Your contribution—whether $25, $50, $100, or more—directly funds the campaign work that allows me to continue this effort: voter outreach, educational materials, and the organizing needed to win re-election in November.
Together, we’re building the water resilience Marin needs for the decades ahead.
Thank you for standing with me in this work.
Sincerely,
Ranjiv Khush
Director, Marin Municipal Water District, Division 3
Candidate for Re-election, November 2026